Scherzer, coming off a 21-3 season and a likely American League Cy Young award coming later this fall, will likely command a salary around $20 million by next year and the Tigers already have three players – Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander – making at least as much, Knobler writes.

Scherzer signed a one-year, $6.725-million deal to avoid arbitration last off-season.

“And while the Tigers have been one of baseball's biggest spenders in recent years, there's some uncertainty if they'll continue to spend as much in the years to come,” Knobler argues.

Of course, the decision could hinge on whether the Tigers win tonight’s Game 5 of the ALDS against the Oakland Athletics – and whether they complete their World Series run.

And if the Tigers do decide trading Scherzer may be a good idea this winter, teams interested could include the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles, Knobler writes.

“The Nationals have long had interest in Scherzer, and have enough young pitching to get a deal done,” Knobler says. “The Rangers, who could chase Price, are another team with plenty of prospects and a need for a top pitcher. The Cardinals seem to churn out quality pitchers, but could believe that as a Missouri native, Scherzer would be more inclined to stay with them if they traded for him. The Orioles could be another possibility.”

Keep in mind, as blasphemous as a Scherzer trade may seem, the Tigers would risk losing him for nothing following the 2014 season if they don’t trade him.

Furthermore, the Tigers faced a similar situation in 2009 with outfielder and fan favorite Curtis Granderson, in terms of cutting payroll, before ultimately trading him to the New York Yankees in a 3-team deal for Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and – of course – Scherzer.